Christmas Premieres
8th December 2004
On 18 December, the newly restored Christ Church, Spitalfields plays host to The Choir of London and The Orchestra of London under the direction of Jeremy Summerly. Tarik O'Regan's Threnody and John Tavener's Lament for Jerusalem: Jerusalem Version are both to receive their first performances on this night, and the concert launches a week-long tour of the programme by the choir to Jerusalem and the West Bank.
John Joubert's Nativity Prelude receives its first performance in the glorious surroundings of Symphony Hall, Birmingham on 21 December. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Simon Halsey. On the same day, Tarik O'Regan's Bring rest, sweet dreaming child for choir and harp is premiered by the Elysian Singers of London at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.
Christmas Eve itself is the date for James Whitbourn's Missa Carolae, a work for chorus and ensemble which also includes passages of audience participation. Rochester Cathedral is the venue.